Walmart has long been in the cheap electronics business, so it’s no surprise that the company has decided to take on the tablet business with its new Onn Android models. These aren’t just budget tablets: in fact, their price seems, at first glance, almost too good to be true. In a world where budget Android tablets from Lenovo or Samsung approach $150 or more, Walmart is clearly trying to undercut its competitors. There are currently new Onn tablets (although older models) available for around $50, and in an effort to bring prices down even further, the retail giant is also offering open-box Onn tablets for as little as $32. It’s certainly not a new strategy for the retailer, following Walmart’s play in the budget TV space – but it seems like a very thoughtful and deliberate move at a time when consumers are particularly price-sensitive and less likely to be picky about brand prestige for secondary electronics like tablets. Playing the budget on tablets in particular also makes sense, as these devices typically fill a niche dominated by light browsing or other less demanding tasks where mind-blowing performance isn’t a priority. Practicality (and price) trumps power Igor Golovniov/Shutterstock Walmart’s Onn tablets aren’t trying to outdo other companies’ flagship products, and that’s exactly the point. Instead of chasing SKUs or cutting-edge hardware, Walmart seeks to deliver rapid productivity performance at a price intended to move units in volume. That said, the company has also wisely diversified its latest offerings so that “prosumers” looking for a tablet with high-end specs can still find them at a more affordable price than competing models from other manufacturers. The 2026 lineup, for example, includes a 13-inch “flagship” Onn 13 Pro tablet with a 2.6 GHz processor, a pair of cameras (8 MP front and 13 MP rear), and a 2400×1600 IPS LCD, priced at $288. At the opposite end of the price spectrum is the Onn 7 Core 2026 Tablet for $97, a more modest 7-inch option for those looking for a highly portable tablet that will easily fit into a bag or purse. Walmart also offers brightly colored kids’ tablets in its Onn line, all with kickstands and thick protective cases to withstand kids’ busy lifestyles. Walmart’s Value Strategy (and Why It Works) refrina/Shutterstock What makes Walmart’s play so smart in the budget tablet space is how it aligns with broader trends in consumer electronics. Smartphones are increasingly becoming high-end, high-performance machines, more portable equivalents to our desktop and laptop computers. This means that tablets play a complementary role rather than serving as the primary computing device for most users. This trend means that there is a growing market for very affordable tablets that don’t need to do everything, but just need to handle a handful of tasks extremely well. Of course, much of the success of this move depends on the retailer’s massive footprint, which it has already leveraged to sell Walmart-exclusive electronics. Walmart has the luxury of positioning its tablets prominently in its physical stores and showcasing them online, ensuring that they are the first tablet options that most shoppers’ eyes land on before the company’s competitors surface. Of course, sky-high prices come with sacrifices: build quality, long-term software support, and performance longevity tend to lag behind high-end alternatives. That said, for a specific audience (families, casual users, or anyone looking for an affordable second screen), these compromises are likely worth the much lighter impact on their wallet. Post navigation Google I/O 2026 Summary: Gemini 3.5, AI Search, Android XR Glasses and More Your Google Pixel Watch’s sleep tracking may be interrupted
Walmart has long been in the cheap electronics business, so it’s no surprise that the company has decided to take on the tablet business with its new Onn Android models. These aren’t just budget tablets: in fact, their price seems, at first glance, almost too good to be true. In a world where budget Android tablets from Lenovo or Samsung approach $150 or more, Walmart is clearly trying to undercut its competitors. There are currently new Onn tablets (although older models) available for around $50, and in an effort to bring prices down even further, the retail giant is also offering open-box Onn tablets for as little as $32. It’s certainly not a new strategy for the retailer, following Walmart’s play in the budget TV space – but it seems like a very thoughtful and deliberate move at a time when consumers are particularly price-sensitive and less likely to be picky about brand prestige for secondary electronics like tablets. Playing the budget on tablets in particular also makes sense, as these devices typically fill a niche dominated by light browsing or other less demanding tasks where mind-blowing performance isn’t a priority. Practicality (and price) trumps power Igor Golovniov/Shutterstock Walmart’s Onn tablets aren’t trying to outdo other companies’ flagship products, and that’s exactly the point. Instead of chasing SKUs or cutting-edge hardware, Walmart seeks to deliver rapid productivity performance at a price intended to move units in volume. That said, the company has also wisely diversified its latest offerings so that “prosumers” looking for a tablet with high-end specs can still find them at a more affordable price than competing models from other manufacturers. The 2026 lineup, for example, includes a 13-inch “flagship” Onn 13 Pro tablet with a 2.6 GHz processor, a pair of cameras (8 MP front and 13 MP rear), and a 2400×1600 IPS LCD, priced at $288. At the opposite end of the price spectrum is the Onn 7 Core 2026 Tablet for $97, a more modest 7-inch option for those looking for a highly portable tablet that will easily fit into a bag or purse. Walmart also offers brightly colored kids’ tablets in its Onn line, all with kickstands and thick protective cases to withstand kids’ busy lifestyles. Walmart’s Value Strategy (and Why It Works) refrina/Shutterstock What makes Walmart’s play so smart in the budget tablet space is how it aligns with broader trends in consumer electronics. Smartphones are increasingly becoming high-end, high-performance machines, more portable equivalents to our desktop and laptop computers. This means that tablets play a complementary role rather than serving as the primary computing device for most users. This trend means that there is a growing market for very affordable tablets that don’t need to do everything, but just need to handle a handful of tasks extremely well. Of course, much of the success of this move depends on the retailer’s massive footprint, which it has already leveraged to sell Walmart-exclusive electronics. Walmart has the luxury of positioning its tablets prominently in its physical stores and showcasing them online, ensuring that they are the first tablet options that most shoppers’ eyes land on before the company’s competitors surface. Of course, sky-high prices come with sacrifices: build quality, long-term software support, and performance longevity tend to lag behind high-end alternatives. That said, for a specific audience (families, casual users, or anyone looking for an affordable second screen), these compromises are likely worth the much lighter impact on their wallet.
